Darrel Young, Washington Redskins fullback, greets members of the base community before the start of the Super Bowl XLVII at the Misawa Club Complex on Misawa Air Base, Japan, Feb. 4, 2013. Coming to Misawa was a way for the NFL stars to show their appreciation to those who serve at Misawa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Kee)
Niles Paul, left, Washington Redskins tight end, watches the Super Bowl with Senior Airman Keegan Early, 35th Maintenance Operations Squadron maintenance planning, scheduling and documentation, at the Misawa Club Complex on Misawa Air Base, Japan, Feb. 4, 2013. Paul and the rest of the NFL stars came to Misawa to show their appreciation for what service members do on a daily basis. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Kee)
Darrel Young, left, Washington Redskins fullback, and Chief Master Sgt. James Laurent, 35th Fighter Wing command chief, take part in a competition at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Feb. 4, 2013. The objective was to see who could pull the most tissues out of a box in one minute. The purpose of the NFL’s stars visit was to give back to service members stationed at Misawa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Kee)
Tara, Denver Broncos cheerleader, signs autographs after the Super Bowl party at the Misawa Club Complex on Misawa Air Base, Japan, Feb. 4, 2013. At the event, members of the base community had the opportunity to meet Tara as well as Lauren, Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleader, and Washington Redskins players Niles Paul, tight end, and Darrel Young, fullback. The purpose of their visit was to show appreciation for what service members stationed in Misawa do every day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Kee)
Darrel Young, left, Washington Redskins fullback, and Lauren, Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleader, sign autographs for members of the base community at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Feb. 4, 2013. Young, along with three other NFL stars, came to Misawa to show their appreciation for what service members do on a daily basis. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Kee)
Tara, Denver Broncos cheerleader, leans to the left as Misawa youth mirror her actions during a cheer clinic at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Feb. 3, 2013. The two cheerleaders along with two players from the Washington Redskins, visited the base to show their appreciation to those serving. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Marie Brown)
Lauren, Tampa Bay Buccaneers cheerleader, teaches Misawa youth a couple moves at a cheer clinic on Misawa Air Base, Japan, Feb. 3, 2013. Lauren, along with the other three National Football League stars, came to Misawa to show their appreciation for what service members at Misawa do on a daily basis. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Marie Brown)
Niles Paul, Washington Redskins tight end, talks to players at the Misawa Youth Football Clinic on Misawa Air Base, Japan, Feb. 3, 2013. At the clinic, participants had the opportunity to receive advice and learn skills from two National Football League players. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Marie Brown)
by Airman 1st Class Zachary Kee
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
2/8/2013 - MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- For Misawa, Feb. 4 was no normal day for football, as National Football League cheerleaders, Lauren, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Tara, Denver Broncos as well as Washington Redskins players Darrel Young, fullback, and Niles Paul, tight end, watched Super Bowl XLVII with members of the base community.
"This was an awesome experience," said Senior Airman Keegan Early, 35th Maintenance Operations Squadron, maintenance planning, scheduling and documentation. "I just got here a few weeks ago and this is just what I needed. I saw the flyers and got really excited; plus my wife is a Broncos fan so it all worked out."
During the game, Young and Paul walked around, signed autographs, talked to fans and watched some of the game with the crowd. For Early, this was an experience he said he will never forget.
"It was really cool," said Early. "I never thought I would have the opportunity to watch a game with a player [Niles Paul] from my favorite team. This will definitely be one of those days I remember for the rest of my life."
The day before the big game, the players and cheerleaders put on a football clinic and cheer camp for Misawa youth at the Potter Fitness Center to give them professional skills to use for the future.
"The football clinic was the best part," said Young. "It was my first time doing something like that. I had never thought about coaching, but it was a really good time."
Young, who has a brother in the U.S. Army, saw this trip as an eye-opening experience for him as he visited the base.
"With my brother being in the military I want to do anything I can to give back and show people we appreciate what they do," said Young. "I run for 100 yards. I'm not doing anything anyone else can't do. The troops are the real heroes."
